Not Real. Not Imaginary.

PART THREE: NINA. [One awkward dinner]

“Oh, silly me…I didn’t even notice I had served another plate. I’ll just put it away once we’ve finished eating…I must’ve been really distracted…” I replied awkwardly, hoping she didn’t pick up in the fact I was so nervous.

Before she could point towards my suspicious attitude, I stuffed my mouth with some spaghetti, and looked all around the place, to everything except her eyes.

Despite not having made up my mind yet, I felt like I was cheating and had to hide the evidence. If it kept going like that much longer, I was bound to have a full anxiety break down. And that would not be good for anyone sitting at that table in that moment.

Terry nodded and smiled, gently caressing my cheek, and, again, I couldn’t help but to lean into her warm touch.

“Let’s eat then.” She replied, and I sighed with relief.

“Let’s!” I answered, and got some more food into my mouth.

After finishing the pasta, she cleaned her mouth delicately with a napkin and smiled with satisfaction.

“You’d be a wonderful housemate, kitten." Terry suddenly blurted out, and both, Greer (who was sitting across from me, at the table) and I, looked at each other with surprised, then, we looked at Terry. “Oh! Sorry kitten. I forgot; I should try to be more…gentle.”

“It’s okay…I have been taking my time and just…” I didn’t even know what to say anymore. I had to make my mind quickly and spare both Greer and Terry of my indecision, but i didn't really knew how to make up my mind.

“I’m sorry, I really don’t mean to put any pressure on you…I, must be really tired and forgot to think before speaking." She seemed very embarrassed, her cheeks started to tint with a soft pink hue.

I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. I think it was probably the first time I saw Terry blushing like that, and I felt my heart suddenly skip a beat. Greer must’ve noticed somehow because, as she looked at me, her expression saddened slightly. She was trying to hide it, but I could still notice the sadness peeking under, and then, it was like my heart was being squeezed, like it just couldn't beat.

I remained silent for a moment, and then sighed, got up and collected the dishes to wash them.

“Wait! I should do that. You made dinner, I should wash the dishes.” Terry took the dishes from my hands before I could reject her help and walked to the sink.

“Oh but, you’re the guest!” I replied after standing there confused for a couple seconds, and tried to take her place in front of the sink.

She chuckled.

“It’s the least I can do after you were such a nice hostess.” She explained in a very flirty tone, and I had to step away, afraid something like what happened at the roller skate ring, would happen there, in front of Greer.

I simply nodded and breathed in deeply, then took my apron off and slid it on her head.

“At least wear this so your clothes won’t get wet, and or dirty.”

She smiled with satisfaction as I slid the apron on her head, and adjusted the straps on the back.

I sat at the table, next to Greer, and as I watched Terry wash the dishes, I felt Greer’s hand sneakily sliding over to mine, to hold it tightly.

It was as if she was afraid that I would go away any minute now, so I turned around and gently squeezed her small hand. She smiled shyly and leaned towards me. I figured she was about to kiss my cheek or something, so I panicked for the tenth time in the night, and moved away, getting up suddenly, startling her, and Terry.

“I, uh…gotta go to the restroom, excuse me...” I expressed my mediocre apology and walked off to the bathroom.

They were both staring at me confused and surprised as I walked away. When I closed the door, I opened the faucet and splashed my face with some cool water. I was unsure of what to do still, but I couldn’t continue like this anymore. I needed to have a chat with Greer. That would help me make up my mind…or at least I hoped it did; although it was selfish of me to want to rely in Greer for support for this matter. She was already in enough distress and I was about to add more.

I took a deep breath and walked outside, stopping in my tracks as I noticed Terry was sitting directly in front of Greer looking in her direction, although her look was a little absent so I guess she was just sitting there waiting for me….

Greer turned around and smiled at me, then hopped up and walked towards me. Meanwhile, Terry was watching me from her sit with an odd smile.

“I’m sorry if I put too much pressure in you today, kitten. I know, you’ll say it’s fine, but I have to apologize anyways. And I will wait as long as it takes for you to make up your mind. Just…It’d be nice to be able to see you from time to time.” She seemed a little sad.

I had been avoiding our meetings and all her invitations since I thought it’d be awkward, but I guess it was even more awkward for us both when I avoided her…so, I nodded.

“Okay, I think that wouldn’t be so bad." an apologetic smile curved my lips.

She got up and took off the apron, neatly placing it on the table, before walking towards the door.

“Well, I just wanted to say that, and I got a free dinner out of it so…I should get going before Lewis starts blowing up my phone with calls again.” She reached for the door knob, and I hurried there to at least give her a goodbye hug.

It was still a little awkward, but warm, and Terry seemed satisfied with it. I felt a small sense of satisfaction as well.

“By the way, dinner was delicious. You cook like a professional.” She said as she gently pulled away from me, breaking the hug.

“Oh…thank you. It was nothing really, I am very far from a professional. I only know how to make that, and packaged ramen noodles...” I giggled thinking about my almost daily ramen dinner.

“Well, no one that tasted what you served today would think so. I assure you that.” She smiled and placed her hand on my head, ruffling my hair.

“Hey!” I chuckled, and tried to brush my hair back to its slightly less messy state with my hands.

“Ooops! Sorry. Couldn’t stop myself." She said between soft giggles. Her hair fell in waves over her shoulders, and they softly swayed as she kept giggling.

If her hair hadn’t been so neatly done, I would’ve probably tried to ruffle it. But I felt bad thinking about messing up the pristine copper stream waving down her head. So, I simply shook my head.

“You’re lucky I am very nice and won’t pay with the same coin."

“Thank you very much, Oh! Merciful one.” She mocked as she leaned forward looking down in a reverence.

“Oh shush…silly...” I had never talked to Terry like that before, and I immediately felt ashamed, so I covered my mouth looking at her wide eyed.

“It’s okay, I like that you feel comfortable enough to talk to me like that. Thank you, kitten.” She said before giving me another tiny hug and then turning towards the door.

I opened the door for her and she walked outside, looking back once more to say goodbye. She hesitated for a moment, as if she really didn’t want to go. And I felt a fuzzy feeling inside me…I didn’t want her to go yet either.

Greer peeked over my shoulder, I felt her small hands resting on my shoulder, aiding herself to look over it as she tiptoed and leaned against me to keep her balance. Then…I am certain I saw Terry’s eyes change for a moment. They seemed…cold.